Ann Arbor Community Foundation launches $2.5 million competition for nonprofits

Contest is aimed at identifying and replicating innovative ways to meet the needs of the region's growing senior population

Foundation will make awards in a tiered fashion, supporting finalists, winners, while reserving $1 million to support the winners showing progress after the contest

The Ann Arbor Community Foundation has launched what it says is the largest competition in North America dedicated to senior citizens.

Aimed at lifting up and replicating innovative ways to serve the needs of seniors in Washtenaw County, the contest comes with a $2.5 million purse.

The foundation will award grants of $20,000 to 10 finalists to further develop their ideas, six final awards in November and then subsequent grant awards to prize winners who show progress from a $1 million reserve.

The Glacier Hills Legacy Fund at the community foundation is providing $2 million to fund the awards, and the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation is providing $500,000.

The lead applicant in the Vital Seniors: A Community Innovation Competition must be a 501(c)3 nonprofit operating in Washtenaw County, but that organization may team up with another nonprofit, a for-profit company that has an innovative service or idea that can benefit the work of that nonprofit or a governmental unit.

The goal is to spark innovation in solving challenges faced by seniors, their families and caregivers.

Of particular interest to the foundation are innovations addressing independent living support, safe/affordable housing, health, transportation/mobility and caregivers.

"We are undergoing a very significant population shift in Michigan, and Washtenaw County mirrors that shift," said Neel Hajra, president and CEO of the Ann Arbor Community Foundation.

By 2040, the number of adults age 60 and over in Washtenaw County will more than double from 53,000 to 110,000, as will the number of seniors in poverty the foundation said.

Philanthropy and other sources of support already struggle to keep up with the need so vulnerable seniors, he said.

"Given the trends, that's only going to become more challenging unless we identify innovative ways to serve more vulnerable seniors."

The contest will look for new ways of solving those issues, Hajra said, while noting that it could be happening elsewhere, yet be innovative in Washtenaw County.

According to the foundation, proposed projects will need to:

Solve a problem, resolve an unmet need, or improve on an existing program for seniors and their caregivers.

Maximize relationships between nonprofits and innovators.

Be replicable.

Mobilize outside investment into coordinated sustainability plans.

Include sectors that will enhance the quality of seniors' lives.

Letters of intent are due by March 9.

The ten finalists will be chosen in June.

Winners will be chosen in November, with a $500,000 grand prize, $250,000 Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation Caregiver Prize, $100,000 each for two runners up — in the over $1 million in revenue and under $1 million in revenue categories — and two People's Choice awards.